Sunday, February 28, 2010

So I guess my total obsession of Sookie Stackhouse has had no choice but to peter out. Mainly due to the fact that I read all 9 books in about two weeks (an amazing ordeal to be sure, considering school and my job) and the fact that I can't watch the second season of True Blood because I don't have HBO. I just want MORE. I ache because of longing. Since I haven't been reviewing each and every book, I'm going to just gush about the whole series.

Despite the fact that I am totally in love with these books, I can still look at them from a critical standpoint. Though the writing may not be amazing or deep or insightful, it is just a plain amazing story. It's a bit refreshing to have such a straightforward writing style. You get the feeling that miss Harris isn't concerned with being thought provoking or trying to leave an impression. She is simply concerned with conveying a fantastic story, which she accomplishes amazingly well. Though some aspects of the novels I can't help but go "Really?", say when the Fae was introduced and stuff like that. (Trying not to ruin anything here) Yet at the same time nothing is so outlandish that it makes you roll your eyes. The author does an excellent job inkeeping with the novels true story. Nothing happens that doesn't directly corrolate to the plot and I always enjoy trying to figure out the newest twist in the story. Believe me, there are plenty of twists. Sookie gets around a bit, though I honestly can't blame here. If I suddenly had about five supernatural suitors clammering for my attention, who were all amazingly gorgeous, but all in different ways, well... you know. Even though there are plenty of love interest possibilities I am the firm shipper of Eric/Sookie. Big, blond haired, blue eyed, Viking? Yes please!

Despite my slightly unhealthy obsession with this series as well as the tv show, it truly is a great story and I encourage everyone to read them. Though probably not as quickly as I devoured them. Bahahaha. Devoured. Vampire crack. Oh wow... I shall stop.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Yes I'm actually going to put a post up ON TIME! Amazing is it not?! Haha. Fancy-ful Designs is a way for me to feature album art, book covers, or just awesome fan-art that I think deserves some recognition. This weeks spotlight is on Kristen Cashore's Fire.

Obviously this is not the American cover for Cashore's amazing novel Fire. I totally geek out about this cover every time I see it. The tinge of green in the cloud is contrasted by the orange-red surrounding Fire like a halo. Complimentary colors! I could squeal with joy as my art geek-ness takes over. The cover is beautiful in it's simiplicity. Fire's hair blowing in the wind and her gorgeous dress compliments her fiery personality. This cover is absolutley gorgeous and I never get tired of seeing it.

In addition to having a beautiful cover, it is also an amazing novel. A wonderful companion to Cashore's first novel, Graceling, it introduces the reader into another portion of the world. Somewhere so similar, yet so completely different from where Katsa is from. Those different are still feared and misunderstood, yet in an almost more terrifying way. Beautiful story, beautiful cover. What more can I say?

Why does life have to be so crazy?! So I have been an extremely horrible sickening excuse of a person and have totally ignored the internet and all of its addicting wonders. Woe is me. So in a mix of work, homework, 65th Anniversaries, big-ass school projects, and more work, I haven't had time to update my blog in a whole week!!! Awful I know. I feel horrid. So now I'm playing catch up! So there is going to be a few posts all at once. Okay... probably more than a few. Haha.

TIME-WARP to last Thursday!!!

Dog Eared!

Okay... so when I went to get a picture of my latest Dog Eared book, Peeps by Scott Westerfeld, I found the most terrifying picture ever!!! Is that not the most horrifying thing you have ever laid eyes upon?! Though I have to give props to whoever photo-shopped that. It rather is epic.

Anyway, don’t let the photo deter you. Peeps (not to be confused with those disgusting marshmallow wads of sick) is one of my favorite all time books. I think I’ve actually read this more than I have Two Princesses of Bamarre. Actually… I’m almost positive that I’ve read it WAY more. And despite the photo, this book is not scary in the slightest. It is quite possibly one of the most hilarious books of all time. It’s the perfect mix of intriguing plot, romance, humor, science, and win all combined into one. Peeps(short for Parasite Positive) are people infected by a disease. More commonly known as vampirism. Don’t you dare stop reading because I said it was about vampires! These Peeps are not your ordinary vampires. For one they are not steeped in mysticism. There is an actual scientific explanation for their existence. The main character is a carrier for the disease, and it’s his job to hunt down those he has spread the virus to. In his quest he discovers a plot that will literally shake the foundations of the world and everything he was taught to be true. It’s simply an amazing read. Plus every few chapters you get the coolest little snippets of modern day parasites that are prevalent in the world. You will never be able to look at your cat the same way again, knowing that he/she gave you toxoplasma that is now residing in your brain. In addition to being hilarious, this book is also highly educational. Haha. Overall it’s just an amazing read, and you will read it over and over again. I haven’t tired of it yet, and trust me I’ve read it very many times.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

So this is a new segment I'm trying out (in an attempt to have some organization to my posts). Fancy-ful Designs will feature album art, book covers, or just awesome fan-art that I think deserves some recognition. And occasionally it will include some of my artwork (which is the case for this week).

So yay! This is one of my pieces I have done in the past few years. Not really much to say about it. Other than the fact that this was my first water color and a bit of a pain in the butt. Haha.

So in keeping with my recently fueled obsession with Charlaine Harris' amazing story, I'm now reviewing her novels! Teehee. And no I shall not do EVERY one. There are 10 of them after all. I'm not that mean. Though I'm already on the third one...Anywho, here's the little blurb!

Blurb: This paranormal fantasy novel tells the tale of Sookie Stackhouse, a Louisiana barmaid with a disability--- she can read minds. This unusual ability causes most locals to think she is crazy and shun her. But then Bill walks into her bar, and he's a little unusual himself--- he's a vampire Sookie finds that she can't read vampire minds--- a restful experience--- and soon Sookie and Bill are dating. Bill even finds the time to meet Sookie's grandmother, and to speak on his Civil War experiences to her group.
But dating a vampire is not all sunshine and lollipops. Many people are biased against the newly-revealed vampires. And then there are the murders, which start with the violent death of one of Sookie's co-workers. Her brother Jason is suspected. Then Sookie's grandmother becomes a victim as well, and Sookie worries that she was the intended victim.

My Review: What I found I adored most about these books was the straightforward-ness of the story. Some of the more mysterious parts could have been incredibly more dramatic. Yet at the same time I'm glad they weren't. Harris keeps to her style through and through and doesn't try to fancy it up with hype and suspense. It's something I really enjoy about these books. They are just a great story, unblemished by gimmicks. Sookie and Bill are even more adorable together in the novel than in True Blood, I'm pleased to say. These books are just such a fresh take on vampires, and I've yet to read any other book (except maybe Sunshine by Robin McKinley) that handles vampires quite this way before. What makes it even more amazing is the fact that these books were out way before any of the vampmire hype consumed hormonal teenagers everywhere. They are truly original and not playing off of someone else's success. I actually found that Twilight basically copied the basic romantic relationship and just switched some things around. As much as I love to diss Twilight I won't dwell on that. I greatly appreciated the fact that True Blood followed the novel incredibly well. Of course they took their license with some things, but it was incredibly close I am pleased to say. Overall, just a great series that I can't wait to read more of! I'll stop my rambling now.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

So I'm a bit of a late comer to the HBO series True Blood, based off of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series. Okay,.... maybe a very big late comer but that is perfectly okay. Because not only was I up till four a.m. watching the entire first season, but now I am totally and completely obsessed. As overdone and cliche vampire novels are, and then to suddenly have all these vampire tv shows, I didn't really think it would be all that great. I have never been so happy to be proven wrong! Although there is at least one very graphic sex scene in every episode, I got over it by the second dvd.

I love the traditional, yet new take on vampires and vampire society. It's dark and dirty and yes I admit it, sexy. I do not think I have ever been motivated by a tv show to read the books. Thank goodness I have all of them downloaded onto my lovely handy dandy laptop. Teehee. It kept me guessing after each episode, and was never predictable. I loved how Bill isn't drop dead gorgeous. Just dark and brooding with a classic handsome going on. Sookie is amazing as well. She's such a sweet and caring person you just can't not adore her.

If I haven't made my love for this clear, I am willing to pay to have HBO now just so I can watch the new episodes because I'm dying for the second season! And to give a clearer view of how addicting this show is, my own mother stayed up till four a.m. with me watching this. I shall even quote her exact words "I'm so tired, yet I just don't want to stop watching!"

Thursday, February 11, 2010

So in a fit of creative inspiration I thought it would be a cool idea to do a weekly little snipit of some of my most worn "dog eared" books that I love to read over and over.... and over again. Not only will I be overwhelmed with nostolgic feelings for forgotten but still adored stories, but hopefully I'll be spreading the love of my most beloved books as well.

The Two Princesses of Bamarre is probably the first book I ever read multiple times. Which for me is a big deal. Simply becuase I have a really good memory when it comes to books. I think I've read this book 5 times, which I think is the most times I have ever read any one book. (Not that impressive by some peoples standards but it's a record for me) I've always thought it was an amazing story about loyalty, love, and sacrifice. You really admire Addie's courage and loyalty to her sister. Even though the whole "Princess" book thing is over-rated, this still holds a special place in my heart. Addie overcomes her fears and misgivings about herself to try and save her sisters life. In the process she becomes stronger and believes in her own capabilities. Plus a little bit of romance never hurt anything. All in all it's just a wonderful story, and a quick read as well. Great for younger audiences too. Pass it on!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Bahahahahahahahahahahahaha! That pretty much describes this movie. That is all that is needed. Seriously. Well.... LMFAO is better, but not by much.

Trust me you'll catch on pretty quick with the Rules to Survival. I have to say Rule Number 2 is my personal favorite. Double Tap baby. It's horribly cliche and ridiculous but it is so funny! I was doing the slap- thigh throughout the whole movie. (I tend to do slap-thigh a lot if you can't tell)

I can't even describe this movie well. I was trying to do a good review of this and actually tell you what it's about, but I just have this big goofy grin on my face.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Who doesn't love Ellen Page? (This is rhetorical btw) The fact that her role as Juno and the "someone is prego" line will forever put her among my favorite actresses.

In Whip It, directed by Drew Barymore, Miss Page does another excellent job. She's an inspiring model for young girls to take charge of their life and pursue something they enjoy for the love of it. Her character goes from being incredibly timid, to embracing her inherent ability to kick ass. It's a story of transformation and self discovery. Plus it's laugh out loud hilarious about 85% of the time. I was laughing so hard, I literally did the slap-thigh action. As horrible as that is, it's true. Plus a hot, shaggy haired, skinny jeaned, singer with an accent just adds on to the awesomeness.

I really want to try Roller-Derbies now,.... though I have a feeling I'd get my ass kicked. Talk about some tough chicks. I will forever be a fan of the Hurl-Scouts. (I'm a Girl Scout, and I found this extremely funny)

Acting: Five stars!

Story/ Plot: Five stars!

Overall: Five stars! It was just an amazing movie that I could watch over and over again. It's cute and adorable yet inspiring at the same time. I'm looking forward to more movies starring Ellen Page. ^.^

Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, has no memory of his childhood and is sure that he came from Outside Incarceron. Very few prisoners believe that there is an Outside, however, which makes escape seems impossible.

And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside- she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know.

My Review: Three words for you. OH MY GOD! And just for emphasis... OH MY FREAKIN GOD! What can I say? I mean really? Just utterly fantastic! I can't believe that I have never heard of this before hand, because 1) It's already out on paperback in the UK and 2) It was so amazing I'm surprised no one else has read this! Aside from my utter fangirlish-ness, there is some basis on why I am dancing around clutching this to my chest begging for more.

Not only were the characters well developed and enjoyable, but even the side characters I loved. Those characters who were supposed to be disliked, I found myself loving them anyway. The dynamics between Finn and Claudia were excellent and well balanced, keeping you at the edge of your seat. It went from one climatic scene to another, and just back and forth continually. It was incredibly well written. I felt like I was reading an adult fantasy novel. The ideas were so mature in a novel way. Hopefully that makes sense because I can’t begin to describe it. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t read like your typical YA novel. The concept of Protocol, in which society has been essentially frozen in time to prevent progress, is such an interesting concept I found myself wanting to hop right into the novel. Incarceron is dark and edgy and just overall an amazing piece of literature. I’m forcing myself to wind this down because I know I won’t be able to stop praising this book. I honestly haven’t read a YA book this truly sensational for a very long time. The only thing I can compare it to is Hunger Games, but even that doesn’t truly compare. If my outrageously long review isn’t convincing you, well let’s just say I read this for about an hour on a Saturday night, the next morning I continued reading it until I was finished because I had to go to work. I read it THAT fast. Go. Buy. It. NOW!